Newly listed state grant programs Read more
Newly listed grant programs Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 10 – House and Senate leaders of the PA Safe Caucus applauded Gov. Josh Shapiro’s move Tuesday to reestablish the Office of Gun Violence Prevention as part of an effort to marshal every possible resource to keep Pennsylvanians safe. “Pennsylvanians are wondering if they will be safe at a concert or a grocery store or their house of faith, or if their children might encounter an unsecured firearm at a friend’s house or will one day hide under a desk while a school shooter thunders down the hallway,” said House PA Safe Caucus Co-chair Dan Frankel. “I’m proud to partner with a governor who doesn’t find any of that OK and doesn’t think we are powerless to stop it.” The Office of Gun Violence Prevention falls under the purview of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which is led by Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. It will bring together public safety and public health experts, gun violence survivors and advocates and leaders from across Pennsylvania to address and prevent gun violence. “I applaud Governor Shapiro for taking the necessary steps to ensure safety for our communities. For decades, Republicans in the Pennsylvania legislature have blocked almost every attempt to regulate firearms, and the result has been beyond tragic for our communities,” said House PA Safe Caucus co-chair Anthony Bellmon. “This renewed office will make sure that gun Read more
School districts across Allegheny County awarded a total of $10.6 million in funding Read more
“Eliminating environmental hazards in our schools is vital to the well-being and success of our students,” said Kinkead, D-Allegheny. “I’m proud to have helped secure this critical investment in creating safe and healthy schools.” Read more
"These investments will go a long way in ensuring that our students have a safe and healthy learning environment,” said state Rep. Kulik, D-Allegheny. “I will continue to advocate for resources that improve the infrastructure of our schools." Read more
State funding secured for school repairs Read more
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 9 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, held his first senior fair inside a packed hall at the National Aviary this past Thursday. The event’s goal was to provide older Pennsylvanians with information on state services geared toward them. This included assistance with the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program and initiatives under the banner of the state departments of Banking & Securities and Military & Veterans Affairs. “Thank you to all who came out for the senior fair,” Abney said. “Creating a meaningful space for our elder neighbors in the district to feel loved and appreciated and have a great time was a true pleasure. I also want to thank the National Aviary, my staff, and everyone else who made the event such a success.” Photos from the senior fair can be viewed here . Read more
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 6 -- State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., joined state Reps. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, Nick Pisciottano, D-Allegheny, and other Allegheny County legislators Thursday to celebrate the recent passage of her Solar for Schools Act . The event was hosted at the IBEW Local 5 Training Center. Speakers were welcomed by business manager Thomas McInytre. Solar for Schools is a new state grant program designed to help school districts across Pennsylvania install solar panels on their grounds or roofs. By generating their own energy, districts can save millions of dollars over the life of a solar project—while creating good-paying jobs, reducing environmental impact, and helping keep costs low for taxpayers. Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the bill into law on July 17. “Creating solar energy at schools not only reduces the amount of tax dollars spent on utility bills, but also creates union jobs in the high-tech and rapidly growing renewable energy industry,” said Pisciottano. “Solar for Schools is supporting working families, the environment, and local economies here in southwestern Pennsylvania and across the state.” “This is a win for taxpayers, a win for labor, and a win for the environment. I was proud to help shepherd this through the committee process and to help get it across the finish line,” said state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver, chair of the PA House Consumer Protection, Technology Read more
HARRISBURG, Aug. 28 – Majority House Health Committee Chair Dan Frankel issued the following statement in response to state Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor’s audit released today: “I’m embarrassed for the auditor general, but he’s not the first person to struggle to understand our health care system. It’s far too complicated, and these massive companies intentionally use that fact to fleece health care consumers. “Those of us working on this issue understand that spread pricing is a specific way that pharmacy benefit managers make money – by collecting the difference between how much they pay for drugs and how much they charge. Our Department of Human Services banned spread pricing in Medical Assistance years ago, and it is prohibited in contracts. “Unsurprisingly, PBMs still do find a variety of ways to extract profits from pharmacies, even though they are already barred from doing so through spread pricing specifically. PBMs are extremely savvy corporations that excel at finding loopholes and making money off our pharmaceutical distribution system. In fact, they are currently being investigated for these practices by the Federal Trade Commission. “While I’ll allow that this industry is allergic to transparency and intentionally confusing, I am genuinely shocked that a public official charged with protecting the interests of this commonwealth could be so easily snookered. Read more
“I dispute the findings of the Auditor General’s audit because they are rooted in a lack of understanding of key terms. Had the Auditor General engaged with me at any point on the issue of Pharmacy Benefits Managers, an issue I’ve been working on for quite some time, he would perhaps have a better grasp of the issues." Read more
Celebrates new law to reform pharmacy benefit manager policy Read more
“The good news is that we know treatment can work – Michael and I are living proof that childhood stuttering doesn’t have to stand in the way of a successful future,” said state Rep. Markosek, D-Allegheny. “But timing is important; because treating stuttering is easier and more successful when kids are younger, it’s critically important that parents and caregivers have the coverage needed to get their children started at an early age. Read more
“The convention center attracts visitors from across the country to downtown Pittsburgh and is surrounded by many of our city’s top attractions. That's why it's essential to ensure the area is safe and accessible for pedestrians and bicyclists,” said state Rep. Abney. Read more
Newly listed grant program Read more
Lawmakers tout pharmaceutical industry reform to help patients, local pharmacies Read more
BRADDOCK, Aug. 12 – Students in the 34 th Legislative District will enjoy more fresh produce during the school day thanks to $54,780 in new grants from the Department of Education, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said the funding under the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program includes $21,384 to Propel Braddock Hills Elementary School, $18,414 to Kelly Primary School in Wilkinsburg and $14,982 to Turner Intermediate School in Wilkinsburg. “We know good nutrition is essential to brain development and also for boosting the cognitive and concentration skills kids need in the classroom,” Salisbury said. “With the new funding, our schools can add fresh, delicious fruits and vegetables during the school day to fuel learning while also teaching kids healthy eating lessons they can carry into the future.” To be eligible, schools must participate in the National School Lunch Program. To give children from low-income families more opportunities to consume fresh produce on a regular basis, the FFVP prioritizes schools with the highest percentage of children eligible for free and reduced-price meals. More information is available here: https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/education-details.aspx?newsid=1484#:~:text=Nearly%20%247.3%20million%20in%20grant,two%20years%20in%20a%20row . Read more
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Aug. 12 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, announced that a total of $570,000 in state funds was awarded to two fire companies in Pennsylvania’s 30th Legislative District by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development . Emsworth Volunteer Fire Company received $350,000 for equipment needs, while Highland Volunteer Fire Department in McCandless was allotted $220,000 to upgrade their communications equipment. “Providing these firefighters with the equipment needed to save lives and keep themselves safe is paramount,” Venkat said. “I’m proud to support our first responders as much as possible and thank them for their selfless service to our neighbors and communities every day.” Recently, Venkat also helped Ohio Township Volunteer Fire Company secure $270,000 to purchase a new water tanker truck. Read more
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